He’s far too slim, blond and doesn’t look remotely like the Russian Jewish papa as portrayed by Topol. But different isn’t necessarily bad and he put such energy, humour and enthusiasm into the role that, though Topol he isn’t, Tevye he was. Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of the poor milkman and his wife Golde — superbly portrayed by Sara Weymouth — who have been ‘blessed’ with five daughters. It is a tragic tale of anti-Semitism and the demise of the old ways and traditions. Tevye’s three oldest daughters dare to fall in love and make their own matches — to a poor tailor (Tim Laurenti), to a radical student (Geoff Abbott) and to a Russian soldier (Robert Armstrong). And he is finally forced to leave his beloved home in Anatevka, along with the rest of the Jewish population, when the white Russians order them out. The production is quite true to the film version. Haunting songs and a serious message are interspersed with comedy — from Yente the matchmaker (Myra Sands), Motel the tailor (Tim Laurenti), from Golde and, of course, from Tevye’s exasperated private chats with God. In the far more upbeat first act the Inn scene was brilliantly portrayed and you had to admire the Russian soldiers played by Robert Armstrong, Phillip Scutt, Andrew Rothwell and Lewis Butler — anyone who can do a decent Cossack dance without falling on their faces gets my vote. But the riotous dream scene as Tevye tries to con Golde into letting their eldest daughter marry the tailor stole the show. There were excellent supporting performances from Lucy Thatcher, Selina Chilton and Sarah Louise Day playing the older of Tevye’s three daughters, and from their respective love interests. Halcro Johnston was loud and convincing as the spurned bridegroom Lazar Wolf. However the absolute star of the show for me was David Howe, the production’s lighting designer, who brought such atmosphere to the show the Russian village of Anatevka really came to life. Fiddler on the Roof is at the New Vic until Saturday.